US5096362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ramp
Assignee: FMH Conveyors LLC
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Filing: 1990-10-22
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2010-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A ramp attached to and used for the loading and unloading of goods from a vehicle, typically a truck. When not in use, the ramp folds compactly and is latched in an upright position at the rear of the vehicle. The ramp may be unfolded and extended in order to transport goods to and from the vehicle. As used, the ramp also may be latched in a half-ramp arrangement to serve as a bridge or dock plate. In the half-ramp arrangement, the ramp is folded to form two legs of a three-dimensional triangular structure, so that one portion of the ramp supports the other and allows it to bear weight.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Best
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:30
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/43; B65; B65G; B65G69/00; B65G69/28; B65G69/2805; B65G69/2811; B65G69/2835
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A ramp for loading and unloading a vehicle bed having an edge comprising: (a) means for attaching the ramp to a vehicle so as to permit lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle, comprising: (i) a track mounted on the vehicle proximate the edge of the bed; and (ii) a trolley connected to the ramp and having at least one wheel rotatably engaging the track; (b) a first ramp segment; (c) means for pivotally connecting the first ramp segment to the attaching means; (d) a second ramp segment; (e) means for pivotally connecting the second ramp segment to the first ramp segment; (f) a plurality of stops connected to the track for limiting the range of lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle; and (g) means, detachably engaging the track and trolley, for selectively locking the ramp in one of a plurality of positions along said track and preventing lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A ramp for loading and unloading a vehicle bed having an edge comprising: (a) means for attaching the ramp to a vehicle so as to permit lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle, comprising: (i) a track mounted on the vehicle proximate the edge of the bed; and (ii) a trolley connected to the ramp and having at least one wheel rotatably engaging the track; (b) a first ramp segment; (c) means for pivotally connecting the first ramp segment to the attaching means; (d) a second ramp segment; (e) means for pivotally connecting the second ramp segment to the first ramp segment; (f) a plurality of stops connected to the track for limiting the range of lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle; and (g) means, detachably engaging the track and trolley, for selectively locking the ramp in one of a plurality of positions along said track and preventing lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A ramp according to claim 1 in which the track and trolley each include at least one aperture and the locking means is a pin for inserting into the track and trolley apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A ramp according to claim 2 in which the means for pivotally connecting the first ramp segment to the attaching means precludes lateral movement of the first and second ramp segments relative to the trolley.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
A ramp according to claim 3 in which (1) the first ramp segment has an upper surface, (2) the first and second ramp segments each have a first end, the means for pivotally connecting the first and second ramp segments serving to connect said respective first ends together, and (3) the bed defines a plane, further comprising means for attaching the second ramp segment at a position remote from its first end to the vehicle so that the second ramp segment may support the first ramp segment in a manner which allows the upper surface of the first ramp segment to lie in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the bed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
A ramp according to claim 1 in which (1) the first ramp segment has an upper surface, (2) the first and second ramp segments each have a first end, the means for pivotally connecting the first and second ramp segments serving to connect said respective first ends together, and (3) the bed defines a plane, further comprising means for attaching the second ramp segment at a position remote from tis first end to the vehicle so that the second ramp segment may support the first ramp segment in a manner which allows the upper surface of the first ramp segment to lie in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the bed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
167 words
A ramp for loading and unloading a vehicle bed having an edge comprising: (a) means for attaching the ramp to a vehicle so as to permit lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle, comprising: (i) a track mounted on the vehicle proximate the edge of the bed, and including an aperture; and (ii) a trolley connected to the ramp including an aperture, and having at least one wheel rotatably engaging the track; (b) a first ramp segment; (c) means for pivotally connecting the first ramp segment to the attaching means which precludes lateral movement of the first ramp segment relative to the trolley. (d) a plurality of stops connected to the track for limiting the range of lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle; and (e) a pin, detachably engaging the apertures of the track and trolley, for selectively locking the ramp in one of a plurality of positions along said track and preventing lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
167 words
A ramp for loading and unloading a vehicle bed having an edge comprising: (a) means for attaching the ramp to a vehicle so as to permit lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle, comprising: (i) a track mounted on the vehicle proximate the edge of the bed, and including an aperture; and (ii) a trolley connected to the ramp including an aperture, and having at least one wheel rotatably engaging the track; (b) a first ramp segment; (c) means for pivotally connecting the first ramp segment to the attaching means which precludes lateral movement of the first ramp segment relative to the trolley. (d) a plurality of stops connected to the track for limiting the range of lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle; and (e) a pin, detachably engaging the apertures of the track and trolley, for selectively locking the ramp in one of a plurality of positions along said track and preventing lateral movement of the ramp relative to the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
A ramp according to claim 6 further comprising a second ramp segment and means for pivotally connecting the second ramp segment to the first ramp segment and in which (1) the first ramp segment has an upper surface, (2) the first and second ramp segments each have a first end, the means for pivotally connecting the first and second ramp segments serving to connect said respective first ends together, and (3) the bed defines a plane, further comprising means for attaching the second ramp segment at a position remote from its first end to the vehicle so that the second ramp segment may support the first ramp segment in a manner which allows the upper surface of the first ramp segment to lie in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the bed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |